Immigration Picture Book: How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story

Posted on November 13, 2010 by Mrs. N

After soliders visit a small boy’s home, his family immediately leaves for America under the cover of night.  They take nothing with them except a change of clothes and money to pay their fare on a small boat.  Across the waters of the Caribbean they sail, hoping for refuge in America.

Eve Bunting has written a beautiful modern day Thanksgiving story that will makes a wonderful read aloud.  Students will have to make inferences throughout (where is the story taking place, why do they have to leave, why can’t they stop the first place that they find land) and will be able to make connections to the other immigration stories they know as well.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – One reference to having nursed babies.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Soldiers come in the middle of the night to search the home.  Thieves rob the boat.

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The Gold-Threaded Dress

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Mrs. N

Much like Molly in Molly’s Pilgrim, Oy is finding it hard to adjust to her new school. When her family first moved to the United States from Thailand, being Asian was not a big deal. A move to a different school  is proving to be a difficult transition for Oy. Despite the diverse population (which includes Mexicans, a Somalian, a Native American and a little girl from Finland) Oy is made to feel an outsider.  Two students focus their attention on her, but for very different reasons.  While Liliandra is clearly the ring leader of a girl’s club and is promising Oy friendship if she shares her beautiful Thai dress, Frankie is more of a mystery.  Oy eventually does find friendship, but at what cost?

In The Gold-Threaded Dress we find out the ways in which school is difficult for Oy and we also get glimpses of how things are hard for her mother.  In one chapter as they travel to Thai dance class, Oy has to read signs for her mother and also manage the American money.  There is not much detail given about why they left Thailand, but some information is given.

Oy is called Olivia at school.  I am pretty bothered by this because it seems that this American name was proposed by her kindergarten teacher.  She doesn’t feel that it is her name at all.  While I have met Asians who have an American name that they use as well as another name, the fact that this was not chosen or decided on by her family makes it really distasteful to me.  Children are pretty smart and adaptable; the other students certainly could have learned her real name if given time and guidance. For the record, I don’t fault Marsden for including this, I’m sad to say that it seems based in reality.

The words Kun Pa and Kun Mere are used for Oy’s parents.  These seem to be Marsden’s own transliteration for the Thai words for mother and father.  Kyun or Khun is used as a sign of respect before the word for father or mother.  Marsden likely simplified that to Kun for easy for reading for children.

The Gold-Threaded Dress is on-level for third grade. For those of you teaching guided reading, it would be an N or O.   Because of the simplicity of story this book will not likely be of interest to students above grade six.  However, in the story Oy is a fourth grader, so I think this will have some appeal with older children who are reading below grade level.  Also, I was delighted to learn that it has a sequel called The Quail Club.  I will definitely be looking at that story when the library gets it in for me, because if I teach a book in a guided reading group the students will often continue the series.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – The girls shimmy in and out of a dress behind a shed on the playground.   Some wait in their underwear for their turn to try it on.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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The Arrival

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Mrs. N

Shaun Tan’s book, The Arrival, completely overwhelmed me.  Despite not containing a single decipherable word, the story is complex and layered; so much so that I immediately re-read it in order to make sense of things.

Using only pictures, Tan tells the story of a man who leaves his home and family in order to go to a new land.  Once there he finds a place to live, looks for work and meets other people who have come from elsewhere.  The story is set in a fantastical world so that readers cannot easily identify the setting and are therefore placed in the position of  newcomers themselves.

Even without words, I believe The Arrival would have great value in a classroom unit on immigration, ideally in a situation where you can display the pictures for all to see.  Since it is without words, this book will do a great job of forcing your students to make connections and inferences in order to understand.  You can also take on questions of author’s (or illustrator’s) purpose. And although Tan’s book certainly does not require words, it may provide a starting off point for a writing exercise for your students.

Here’s my own mini discussion guide – a list of questions to help guide you:
1. What is this story about?
2. You meet several immigrants in this story, why did they leave their home countries?
3. Where might they come from?
Although the worlds are fantasy, I think links can be seen to real countries.
4. What were things like for the man in his new world?
Think about the writing, the new foods and animals, the search for work.
5. Why do you think Shaun Tan chose not to use words?
6. Why do you think all the writing is a made up language?
7. Why do you think he used a fantasy world instead of familiar places?
8. How do you know when you’re switching stories?

Even though this is a picture book, I would recommend it for grades 3 and up. The story is so complex that little ones may have difficulty understanding even if they do see beauty in the artwork. There is also one very dark painting that shows piles of skeletons and the following pane shows a man who has lost his leg (it is bandaged and covered but still may bother some).

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – One immigrant’s story is clearly one of war and is accompanied by a full page illustration of skeletons stacked on top of each other (you can make out the hats of the soldiers in the darkness, soldiers who were marching in a parade on the prior page).  The following page shows a man who is clearly injured, has an amputation at the knee and is bandaged up. We are only shown the bandages and crutches.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – As with many stories about immigration there are some darker themes.  Some people faced intimidation, war and something that appears to be akin to slavery.

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The Dragon’s Child – A Story of Angel Island

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Mrs. N

Laurence Yep, who has written many children’s books about China and Chinese-Americans has carefully crafted a fictional account of his own father’s immigration to the US from China. Gim Lew Yep’s situation is an interesting one. His father was born in the United States, making him a citizen. He was born in China, but as the son of an American citizen, he also is a citizen. But that does not mean that admittance to the US will be easy. He still needs to prove he’s his father’s son, a task that seems daunting. If he fails, it could be that he and his father will be sent back to China.

Because his father has been working in America and sending home American money, in their Chinese village they are well-off ; so Gim Lew is shocked to find that his father works as a housekeeper in the United States. He was expecting his father to have an important job. As his confusion and disappointment mount, his father’s friends worry that Gim Lew will be like his brother Jong and run away from home.

For those using this book in class for immigration instruction, it does an excellent job of making it clear why the Yeps are going to America rather than staying in China. The trip to America is also described in detail, so your students will have no trouble identifying hardships suffered by immigrants on their journey. This book is also unusual; unlike most books on immigration that focus only on the new life in America, The Dragon’s Child also explains how the Chinese were often strangers when they returned to their own towns as well. I’ve found that it’s pretty easy to get books that describe the Ellis Island experience; this would make an excellent complement by providing the Angel Island experience. The book ends when Gim Lew is admitted to the US but Laurence Yep provides an afterword that explains more about the treatment of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco. The afterward also contains titles of other Yep books that address the immigrant situation. He also includes a link to The Angel Island Immigration Station foundation.  Definitely check out the book recommendations and immigrant voices sections.

This book is on grade level for third grade.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – There is mention of Gim Lew being a surprise or accident. His father and mother were in their forties when she became pregnant.
Profanity – “shut up.”
Death, Violence and Gore – The Gim Lew is hit for using his left hand. He character visits his grandparents’ graves with his father. He learns that back when his grandfather traveled to the US, one out of three men died on the boat trip over. A ship’s passenger says Gim Lew needs a spanking. Gim Lew learns that a man hanged himself rather than face the shame of being sent home. White men are not punished for murdering Chinese in the US.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Things are dangerous in China. The Manchus have left and all over the country generals have set up their own strongholds. There are plagues, droughts, floods and bandits. People are starving. Chinese money has lost its value. The boy is very concerned about being allowed into America. He is told that if he gets the answers wrong of if he stutters that he will be sent back to China. Some people have been detained for years at Angel Island.

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Blue Jasmine

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Mrs. N


Seema has mixed feelings about leaving her home in India to move to America. While she’s excited for something new, she’s leaving behind her extended family. The move ends up making Seema really think about what she considers necessary for friendship and who she counts as important to her, although this is more evident in the relationships she left behind rather than the new ones she makes.

As usual Kashmira Sheth does an excellent job of explaining unfamiliar vocabulary words and includes a glossary to help students with the foreign words (which I believe are a mix of Gujarati and Hindi?) There’s also a marvelous section where Seema is discovering that even things she knew the English words for go by different names in America. Sheth also does a wonderful job of making Indian life come alive, whether it be the more privileged life Seema leads or the impoverished life of her friend Mukta.

Another thing of note is that Blue Jasmine briefly addresses the use of swastikas both in Indian culture and in America. For those of you who may not be familiar, the word swastika is derived from Sanskrit and in India is generally is a lucky or auspicious symbol. It has significance in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism (Jainism is an Indian religion with a focus on non-violence). In America, our primary exposure to this symbol is as the emblem of the Nazis. The difference between Eastern and Western perception of this symbol is significant. It is important for Americans to understand that if they see an Indian using this symbol it may not be representing Nazism.

Overall, this is a fabulous look at one girl’s adjustment to living in America. The only criticism I have is that in one storyline Seema is suffering at the hands of a bully. The bully does some serious reflection and it turns out she’s not really a bad person. I’m always wary of the message this sends to kids. In real life, bullies are very rarely people who will stop and apologize sincerely for their treatment of you. There are so many reasons to read this book though that should not deter you.

I expect that advanced third grade readers could manage this book, but recommend it for grades four and up.

Great for: Teaching similes.  Teachers, if you’re looking for a chapter book to show your students how much figurative language can enhance writing, this is it.  Kashmira Sheth has peppered the pages of her book with both similes and metaphors.  Here are some beautiful examples of her figurative language:
…[T]he stars looked as if someone had scattered mustard seeds across a dark iron skillet.
[S]he…gave me a smile as bright as a thousand-petal chrysanthemum.
[H]er hair was as pretty as silver embroidery on a sari.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – “hell” used once.
Death, Violence and Gore – A child is smacked for bad behavior.  A child is threatened with a smack for bad behavior.  Seema’s mother drops something on her foot and needs to go to the emergency room. A bully pulls Seema’s hair causing her to fall.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – A neighbor explains that dandelions can be made into dandelion wine.  Seema refuses to try root beer because she is concerned it really is beer.
Frightening or Intense Things – Seema’s grandmother has a stroke and the family visits her in the hospital.  A friend of Seema’s has a relative with tuberculosis.  The seriousness of this disease is absolutely clear, and Seema is often afraid of the news from her friend for fear the relative has died.  Those of us privileged enough to live in places where tuberculosis has been mostly eradicated are not likely to feel much fear or urgency, but for others this may be a source of worry.

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Molly’s Pilgrim

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Mrs. N

Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
I feel like I should start this with an entreaty to parents: This is a widely taught book, please don’t read it with your kid. Why not?  Because often when students are familiar with the text and know the outcome, we teachers are limited in what we can do.  A child that knows the ending can’t make predictions.  A child who has read the words before with a grown-up may not stumble on something that they wouldn’t know in another context.  A child who has discussed the theme before may be sharing ideas they’ve heard from you and not ones they’ve developed on their own.  But then I feel guilty for trying to hoard books. So just consider yourself warned, Molly’s Pilgirm is frequently used in schools. It’s the kind of book that has a large number of teacher’s guides developed for it.

In this book, Molly has moved first from Russia to a New York and now to a small town where there are no other Jewish girls and she is mocked for her accent and generally excluded by the other students.  When Molly’s mother helps with her homework, the rest of the students become even more focused on their differences. However,  Molly’s mother’s interpretation of what it means to be a Pilgrim helps show the class that even though much time has passed since the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower, people are still coming to the United States to seek religious freedom.

The reading level for this book is considered beginning of third grade, which means some advanced second graders may be able to read it as well. The most complicated part (and I am a bit resentful here) is that author Barbara Cohen uses some Yiddish words with no translation, no glossary. Which means that teachers and parents often must scramble to those aforementioned teacher’s guides or to the internet to figure out what they mean. You could also call my mother-in-law who has a reasonably extensive Yiddish vocabulary. Collected here for your convenience (with pronunciation guide from my aforementioned mother-in-law):
Nu, Shaynkeit (say new shane-kite) – So, my beauty or So, my beautiful one.
Nu, Malkelah (say new mal-ka-lah) – So little Molly.
Oi, Malkaleh (say oy mal-ka-lah) – Oh little Molly.
My mother-in-law also volunteered that it’s likely that Molly’s Hebrew name is Malka and the nickname is derived from that.
Mazel tov(say Mah-zell-tahv) good luck
Bubbe (say Bubby) – grandmother
Zayde (say Zay-duh) – grandfather
Paskudnyak (say pass-could-nee-yak) – nasty, vile, rotten, horrible person

Great for: Opening a unit on immigration and common themes for why people move. Molly’s mother makes the connection between the Pilgrims that came to this country and celebrated the first Thanksgiving and her family’s own flight from Russia in search of religious freedom. If you’re hoping to teach a unit where children explore the common reasons people emigrate and the common struggles they face, this will provide an excellent jumping off point.  And teachers if you are looking to do such a unit, please stick around, I’ll be vetting lots of other books on immigration for you!

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Molly’s family left Russia because the Cossacks (Russian soldiers) were burning down the synagogue and forcing the Jews out.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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November Preview – Coming to America

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Mrs. N

One of my absolute favorite units to teach is immigration. This is a bit unsurprising because I really love historical fiction to begin with, but I just can’t even explain the excitement I get when my students make connections across historical periods. There is just nothing like watching the revelation in a child’s eyes as they realize that things happen more than once. That the Russians persecuted the Jews. That the Germans persecuted the Jews. That in different countries other people were persecuted for religious or political beliefs. That unthinkable things recur throughout time. Because I hold on very dearly to the hope that by making these connections these children will be part of making sure that these things never happen again. As we read books about immigration my students gain such a greater understanding of the world and their responsibilities to each other.

Over the course of November, I’ll be bringing you stories of immigration from all around the world: China, Russia, Dominican Republic, Thailand, England and India. In these stories, we can follow many common themes. People leave their homeland for jobs, to be near family, to avoid persecution, for freedom, because they are forced to go. People face hardships en route to their new homes and people face hardships when they arrive including bullying, exclusion, trouble learning the language, poverty and feeling homesick. Regardless of when or what country immigrants came from, there are experiences that are shared by all.

Please stop back from now until Thanksgiving to learn about not just the first Pilgrims to our shores, but all the others that followed.

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Betraying Season (Leland Sisters #2)

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Mrs. N

In this sequel to Bewitching Season (Leland Sisters), Penelope Leland sets off for Ireland to study magic.  Just as Bewitching Season is refined and restrained like London society, Betraying Season is much more free and sensual, like the old Celtic magic that Pen is now learning.  Which is all a very flowery way of saying – this right here?  This is why I bother with this blog.  I thought Bewitching Season to be fairly tame, with some mild cursing and ramping up to some passionate kisses, but Betraying Season is much more racy.  You’ll see by the swear count below that the language has deteriorated.  Furthermore, a key plot point hinges around whether or not certain characters are virgins, and so attempts to, ahem, relieve one of her virginity, are made.

I didn’t love this as much as Bewitching Season but it’s still quite fun. The reasons I didn’t like this as much as its predecessor?  Well, I like London and society balls and missed that aspect.  Also, I found Pen to be quite dense at times, a quality that seemed to be out of character with the rest of her persona.

Marissa Doyle took advantage of setting this in Ireland and liberally sprinkled the book with Gaelic.  This  drove me a little crazy, because Doyle was not great about providing translations and because I am always bothered by the fact that I’m certain I’m mispronouncing the words.

Some may be bothered more with the magical aspects of this book.  As Doyle is discussing older pagan magic, much of the story relies on the myth of the triple goddess.  Some parallels are drawn to the Holy Trinity which may make some readers uncomfortable.  But then again, those people are unlikely to be reading a book about witches in the first place, right?

Sex, Nudity, Dating –So as I noted above, a major plot point revolves around whether or not the virginity of various women is intact.  To that end and hopefully without revealing too much, I can tell you that the following occur:  one woman has sex out of wedlock(but offstage); breasts are grazed, skirts are hiked, thighs are fondled, necks are kissed, passionate kisses are exchanged, hands are held; there is a pregnancy out of wedlock.  There is much discussion of women’s monthly courses and we know that Persy filled Pen in on a talk their mother gave her about childbearing on the eve of her wedding.   Lady Keating’s son is not by her husband.  One character slanders another by calling that character highly promiscuous and fabricating prior relationships.  The pregnant character is told to rid herself of the bastard.
Profanity – “Jesus,” “Damn” around 9 times,  “Damnation,” “damned,” around 5 times “bollocks,” “hell” thrice, “Good God,” “God knows why,” “Mother of God.”
Death, Violence and Gore – There are rumors that the Duke of Cumberland plans on killing Queen Victoria.  Again there is a plot on Victoria’s life.  Eamon Doherty is bloodied during political unrest. Pen has a sword pointed at her breast. Lady Keating hits her head on a rock.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Niall goes into a pub but does not drink. Heather wine is served. The Carrighars have a wine cellar.  A fairy creature offers Pen whiskey, she declines.  Pen sips sherry.  After dinner people drink port and gentlemen smoke cigars. Niall drinks brandy.  An injured man is given brandy. Pen drinks brandy.  One of Pen’s dance partners has had several glasses of strongly spiked punch.  Niall wishes he had whiskey to dull his pain. Doherty and Niall drink together.
Frightening or Intense Things – The magical element here is far stronger and darker than in Bewitching Season.

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Bewitching Season (Leland Sisters #1)

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Mrs. N

It’s actually almost a bit embarrassing how much I liked this book. The fact is, I’m a sucker for romantic historical fiction, particularly anything taking place in England in the 1800s. Bewitching Season takes place as Victoria is about to come to the throne. The Leland sisters, daughters of a Viscount who have inherited family magic, are about to have their very first season. Pen is excited, but Persy, who prefers books, is terrified. She much prefers her studies and is terrified at the idea of having to converse with strangers. When the girls’ governess and magic tutor goes suddenly missing the girls have more serious matters than catching husbands to attend to.

This book does an excellent job of combining the magical with the time period. Victoria was very much under pressure to relinquish her powers to Sir John Conroy rather than rule in her own right. Bewitching Season infuses his treachery with a magical element.

The vocabulary of the book is challenging, but much of it will be manageable to readers familiar with the time period. Period specific vocabulary includes: megrims, tincture, grimoire, reticule, cosseted, equipage, livery, fractious. This book has a sequel, Betraying Season

Great for:A perfect mix of romance, witchcraft and intrigue, Bewitching Season is bound to enchant teenage girls who dream of a time of balls, titles and handsome young suitors. It will probably be a hit with lovers of Austen or Heyer, although it is not as witty and clever, it is still very enjoyable.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – This is a romance after all, but very much in keeping with the times. There is definitely a bit of kissing (both of hands and real kissing), embracing and fluttering hearts and the like. The girls’ younger brother teases them about boys. And of course, there are proposals of marriage. Also to be expected is a certain amount of discussion of ladies underthings and fashion, so petticoats, corsets, and decolletage are all mentioned. Not unusual for the times, one of the girls has a beau who is five years older than her. In keeping with the magical theme, love spells are cast. Gossip about the royal family and random members of the peerage is more scandalous (mentions of the king’s illegitimate children, an affair between two people, a child born out of wedlock, a mention of a mistress), but none of it is explored more than a mention in passing. Other random bits: As children a neighbor boy dared them to climb a tree and then stood underneath while they covered themselves and tried to figure out a modest way down.  A boy shares that he knew a set of twins at school but they were impossible to tell apart with their clothes on (as he attended an all boys school, nothing sexual is implied here, simply nudity). Persy binds her chest in order to pass as a boy. A man is blackmailed using the information that his older brother ruined their 14 year old cousin.
Profanity – “My God,” although Penelope is chided for taking the Lord’s name in vain.  A boy gets as far as “bast-” then cuts himself off.  “Hell,” several times,  “Oh for God’s sake,” “Damn” twice,  “damned” twice.
Death, Violence and Gore – Their governess warns the girls that the last execution for witchcraft was less than 100 years ago. A woman is abducted at gunpoint.  There is talk that Lochinvar’s mother died from a witch’s curse.  There is a small amount of sibling hair pulling and ear twisting.  In a very teenaged way, Persy ponders how to murder her annoying little brother without upsetting her parents.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking –  A milliner drinks gin with her breakfast.  Strawberry cordial is presented and served, but the only person we see drinking it is the girls’ mother.  Persy drinks too much punch, but it’s unclear whether or not she knew it had alcohol in it.  Lady Harrow spills a glass of wine at dinner.  Miss Allardyce sips wine with dinner.  Persy sips champagne.  Mama has a glass of pomegranate cordial.
Frightening or Intense Things –  At one point Charles notices a stranger has been watching their house.  A woman is held captive and has been ordered to use her powers to assist some nefarious doings.  Persy and Charles investigate Kensington Palace and are in constant danger of being caught.  At one point the girls are in mortal danger. I wouldn’t call it scary, just the right amount of tension for intrigue.

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WINNER!

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Mrs. N

Congratulations to Susanne for winning her very own copy of The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams.  Thanks to all of my readers for participating and good luck on my next giveaway!

Stop back later today and tomorrow for more witch books!  I’m sending October out with a bang and a POOF!

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